Prevalence and Clinical Spectrum of Seborrhoeic Dermatitis in patients infected with Human Immunodeficiency Virus in Kano, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Seborrhoeic Dermatitis is a common cutaneous manifestation in patient with HIV/AIDS. Its
varied clinical forms may be seen at different stages of HIV/AIDS and are often the initial presenting features.
Objectives: To examine the prevalence and spectrum of SD and the relationship between various clinical
forms of SD and CD4 cell counts in a hospital-based cohort of HIV-infected adults in Kano, Nigeria.
Patients and methods: All HIV patients attending the SS Wali centre (Special treatment clinic) at AKTH
Kano between January 2010 and June 2011 were studied. The relationship between CD4 counts and various
clinical forms of SD was analysed.
Results: A total of 631 HIV-positive patients were seen. The male: female ratio was 1: 2. The mean age of the
sample was 34.6 years (range 16–60 years). The prevalence of SD in the studied population was 20.9%
(132/631) patients. Localized (Scalp)/Dandruff is seen in 52 (39%) , Classic SD (scalp, face & chest) in 43 (
32.5%), flexural (inverse) SD in 27 (21%), erythrodermic SD in 6 (4.5%) and psoriasiform/pityriasiform in 4
(3%) of the patients. More severe, widespread disease was observed exclusively as the CD4 count falls below
6
200 x 10 /L
Conclusion: In atypical and severe forms, SD may represent a clinical indicator of deterioration of the underlying immunological disorder.